Headphone and helmet assembly

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure can be embodied by a detachable assembly, for example a helmet and headphone assembly. A locking assembly can be configured to removably attach the headphones to the helmet in a locked position. In the locked position, the headphones can be locked horizontally onto the helmet, and a portion of ear cups of the headphones may be received at least partially through a pair of ear cup receiving apertures that extend through a shell of the helmet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/072,001, filed Jul. 23, 2018, which is a U.S. national phaseapplication of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2018/019065,filed Feb. 21, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/461,774, filed on Feb. 21, 2017. The entiredisclosures of the aforementioned applications are incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to headphone and helmet assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Conventional portable audio systems often include a pair of headphonesthat are connected to a media player for example by one or more wires orby wireless technology. It is increasingly common for users to useportable audio systems when engaging in outdoor activities. While themedia player in any given portable audio system can be used in a varietyof settings, it is often the case at the headphones employed are not asversatile. For example, in-ear headphones (also commonly referred to asalso “earbuds”) may provide for portability, but such headphones mayprovide poor audio quality, be uncomfortable, or both. While larger,over-the-ear headphones may be more comfortable, they may be offered towear with outdoor gear such as goggles. For example, it is increasinglycommon for outdoor enthusiasts, such as skiers and snowboarders, to useportable audio systems when engaging in outdoor activities, such asskiing and snowboarding. In most cases, skiers and snowboarders favorsmaller, in-ear style headphones because helmets, ski goggles, carprotectors, hoods, and headbands can more easily be worn over suchheadphones

Although the user gains portability during other activities with in-earstyle headphones, the user may sacrifice on quality and comfort asin-ear headphones may provide poor audio quality and/or beuncomfortable. Moreover, in-ear style headphones may fall out of theuser's ear during participation in the outdoor activity, thusfrustrating the user and preventing the user from enjoying the portableaudio system during the activity.

Due to the disadvantages with in-ear style headphones, the user maychoose to use larger, over-the-ear style headphones when notparticipating in outdoor activities. For example, a user may use theover-the-ear headphones in a home, school, or office environment. Theover-the-ear style headphones may provide better sound quality andcomfort for indoor use, but typically the over-the-ear style headphonesare not compatible with outdoor activities because helmets, ski goggles,ear protectors, and headbands may interfere with use of over the earheadphones.

Therefore, although the user uses the same media player in bothinstances, the user will likely need at least two different sets ofheadphones for the two different use environments. In particular, it isnot uncommon for users of portable audio systems have several differentsets of headphones each of which are used in different environments.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure can be embodied by a detachable assembly, forexample a helmet and headphone assembly. The headphones can include aheadband, ear cups, and a housing. The housing can define legs thatextend between each of the ear cups and the headband. The helmet canprovide protection for a user, and include a chinstrap, a shell, and apair of ear cup receiving apertures extending fully through the shell. Alocking assembly can be configured to removably attach the headphones tothe helmet in a locked position. The pair of ear cup receiving aperturesis configured to receive a respective one of the ear cups at leastpartially therethrough in the locked position. In the locked position,the headphones can be locked horizontally such that a longitudinal axisof the headphones lies at a locking angle that is ±20° from a secondaxis, the second axis extending from the user's eye and ear when thehelmet is on the user, the longitudinal axis extending between each earcup to a central apex of the headband.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, at least aportion of the legs of the headphones can be disposed within the shellof the helmet in the locked position.

The present disclosure describes various locking assemblies. Accordingto an embodiment, the locking assembly may include one or more malemembers and one or more female members configured to mate with the oneor more male members. The one or more male members may be locatedadjacent the pair of ear cup receiving apertures. The one or more femalemembers can be located on the ear cups. The locking assembly can includeone or more flexible mating features that interlock with one another ina frictional manner.

According to other embodiments, the locking assembly can be a biasedlocking assembly having one or more slidable male members that arebiased toward one or more female members in the locked position.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides for a rotationallocking assembly having one or more rotational latch members and one ormore fixed catch members. The one or more rotational latch members canbe disposed within the helmet and the one or more fixed catch membersare located on the ear cups. The one or more rotational latch memberscan includes two disks, each of the two disks having a central aperturedefined by an inner edge. Each of the two disks can be rotationallymounted about each of the pair of ear cup receiving apertures between anunlocked position and the locked position. The central aperture can beconcentric with each of the pair of ear cup receiving apertures.Furthermore, in the unlocked position, the inner edge can be locatedfully about each one of the pair of ear cup receiving apertures, and inthe locked position, the inner edge can be positioned at least partiallywithin each one of the pair of ear cup receiving apertures.

The one or more rotational latch members may include an arm disposedoutside of the helmet and configured to allow the user to rotate the oneor more rotational latch members between the locked position and theunlocked position. In the locked position, the arm can be located closerto the headband than in the unlocked position.

In another embodiment, the headphones can be rotated about the pair ofear cup receiving apertures to move the headphones between an unlockedposition and the locked position.

According to another embodiment, a sliding locking assembly is providedhaving one or more male latch members defined by a pair of parallel,linear protrusions fixed adjacent to each one of the pair of ear cupreceiving apertures, and one or more female catch members that receivethe one or more male latch members in the locked position.

The detachable assembly described herein can further include a headphoneleg locking assembly having male latch members located on the helmet,and female catch members located on the legs. The male latch members canbe configured to removably attach the legs to an inner surface of thehelmet in the locked position.

In certain embodiments, the detachable assembly can also include analignment feature configured to align the headphones relative to thehelmet in the locked position. The alignment feature may have a sideedge of the headband that is configured to mate with a rear exterioredge of the helmet.

According to another embodiment, at least one of the ear cups includesan input control device configured to control a media source. At leastone of the ear cups includes an inner piece and an outer piece, theinner piece housing a speaker for playing sound from the media source.The outer piece can include a rotational element configured to rotaterelative to the inner piece. The input control device can include therotational element, and rotating the rotational element relative to theinner piece can adjust a volume of media being played by the mediasource. The rotational element can have a plurality of teeth, and afirst sensor element and a second sensor element may be disposed onopposite sides of the plurality of teeth. The first sensor element caninclude an infrared emitter and the second sensor element can includetwo or more light detectors.

In another embodiment, a bottom portion of the legs adjacent each of theear cups are angled such that the ear cups can be fixed in anon-parallel position that corresponds to an angled outer surface of theshell of the helmet. For example, each of the ear cups can be angledrelative to the headband at an angle between 2-5°. The ear cups caninclude an inner portion and an outer portion, where the inner portionis pivotably mounted to the inner portion. The inner portion may becapable of pivoting to a pivoting position that is up to 2-6° from anunpivoted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present disclosure will now bemore fully described in the following detailed description of thedisclosure taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of headphones in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a combination perspective and detail view of a helmet with asnap-fit locking assembly in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of headphones for use with the helmet ofFIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a combination perspective and detail view of a helmet with abiased locking assembly in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of headphones for use with the helmet ofFIG. 4A;

FIGS. 5A-5E are schematic views illustrating an exemplary process ofattaching headphones relative to the helmet with a spring lockingassembly;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a helmet with a rotational lockingassembly in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of headphones for use with the helmet ofFIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a side view of the helmet of FIG. 6A showing the rotationallocking assembly in an unlocked position;

FIG. 6D is another side view of the helmet of FIG. 6A showing therotational locking assembly in a locked position;

FIGS. 7A-7C are schematic views illustrating a process of operating therotational locking assembly of FIG. 6A;

FIGS. 8A-8F are perspective views illustrating a process of attachingheadphones to a helmet with a rotational locking assembly in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a perspective and detail view of a helmet with the rotationallocking assembly shown in FIGS. 8A-8F;

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of headphones for use with the helmet ofFIG. 9A;

FIGS. 10A-10D are schematic views illustrating a process of attachingheadphones to a helmet with a rotational locking assembly in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11A is a side view of the helmet and headphones of FIGS. 9A-9Bshowing the rotational locking assembly in an unlocked position;

FIG. 11B is another side view of the helmet and headphones of FIGS.9A-9B showing the rotational locking assembly in a locked position;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a helmet with a sliding lockingassembly in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12B is a combination perspective and detail view of headphones foruse with the helmet of FIG. 12A;

FIGS. 13A-13C are perspective views illustrating a process of attachingheadphones to a helmet with a sliding locking assembly in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13D is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 13C showing the headphonesand helmet in a locked position;

FIG. 13E is a cross-sectional view of the ear cups of FIG. 12Billustrating the compression of the inner piece of the ear cup;

FIG. 14A is a side view of the helmet and headphones of FIGS. 12A-12Bshowing the sliding locking assembly in an unlocked position;

FIG. 14B is another side view of the helmet and headphones of FIGS.12A-12B showing the sliding locking assembly in a locked position;

FIG. 15A is a combination perspective and detail view of a helmet with aleg locking assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15B is a perspective view of headphones for use with the helmet ofFIG. 15A;

FIGS. 16A-16D are perspective views illustrating a process of attachingheadphones to a leg locking assembly in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 16E is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 16D showing the headphones ina locked position;

FIG. 17 is a perspective a leg locking assembly in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 18A-18E are perspective views illustrating a process of attachingheadphones to a leg locking assembly in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a side view of a headphone and helmet assembly in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a side view of a headphone and helmet assembly where theheadphones are located outside of the helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a side view of a headphone and helmet assembly where theheadphones are located partly outside of the helmet in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a side view of a headphone and helmet assembly where theheadphones are located within the helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23A is a perspective view of a headphone and helmet assembly havingan alignment feature in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 23B is a detail cross-sectional view of the alignment feature ofFIG. 23A;

FIG. 23C is a detail cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentof the alignment feature shown in FIG. 23B;

FIGS. 24A-24D are side views illustrating the position that headphonesmay be positioned on a helmet worn by a user in the locked position inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25A is a top view illustrating the position that headphones areworn on a user without a helmet in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 25B is a rear view illustrating the position that headphones may bepositioned on a helmet worn by a user in the locked position inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25C is a top view illustrating an ear cup having a fixed, angledorientation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 25D-25E are bottom views illustrating a pivotable ear cup inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26A is a perspective view of headphones having a rotatable ear cupthat serves as an input control device in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 26B is an exploded view of the headphones of FIG. 26A;

FIGS. 27A-27B are perspective views of a rotational element of therotatable ear cup shown in FIG. 26A;

FIG. 28A is a perspective view of a rotational element and sensorelements of the rotatable ear cup shown in FIG. 26A;

FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view of a rotational element and sensorelements of the rotatable ear cup shown in FIG. 28A;

FIG. 29 is a top schematic view of a rotational element and sensorelements of the rotatable ear cup shown in FIG. 27C;

FIG. 30 is a graph of signal receptions of sensor elements in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 31 is an exploded view of headphones having a rotatable ear cupthat serves as an input control device in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1 shows a helmet 100 and FIG. 2 shows headphones 200 designed to beremovably attachable to the helmet 100.

A helmet 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure caninclude an outer shell 110, inner padding 120, and a chin strap 130. Theinner padding 120 can include upper pads 121, and cheek pads 122. Thechin strap 130 can include a buckle 131 and be attached via a fastener132.

In one embodiment, the outer shell 110 of the helmet can be made of ahard plastic that provides high-impact resistance (especially at lowtemperatures), highway resistance, and high scratch resistance. Forexample, the outer shell 110 can be made from or include acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene. The inner shell 140 can be made of a closed-cell foammaterial, such as expanded polystryrene. The thickness of the outershell 110 and the inner shell 140 can vary depending upon the desiredapplication. As one example, the outer shell 110 can have a thicknessthat is smaller than the thickness of the inner shell 140. In oneparticular example, the outer shell can be 3 mm thick and the innershell 140 can be between 15-25 mm thick.

The helmet 100 can include ear cup receiving apertures 150, whichreceive ear cups 210 of the headphones therethrough. The helmet 100 canalso include including locking assemblies, which allow the headphones tobe removably attachable to the helmet 100 as described in further detailthroughout the present disclosure.

The padding 120 of the helmet 100 can be made of a soft foam material.In one particular example, the upper pads 121 can be made of a 10 mmthick foam material and the cheek pads 122 can be made of a 35 mm thickfoam material. The chin strap 130 of the helmet 100 can be made of afabric, for example a nylon fabric, and the approximately 20 mm wide.The buckle 131 of the chin strap 130 can be made of plastic, forexample, polyoxymethylene plastic.

With reference to FIG. 2, headphones according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure can be over-the-ear style headphones, including aheadband, a base housing 230, and ear cups 210.

The headband 220 can include an outer headband 221 and an inner headband222. The outer headband 221 can be made of a durable plastic materialthat provides rigidity, such as a polycarbonate and/or polybutyleneterephthalate plastic material. The outer headband 221 can therefore beused to support the inner headband 22, which receives a user's headduring use. The inner headband 222 can be cushioned for comfortable useby a user. In one particular example, the inner headband is made ofsilicone.

The base housing 230 of the headphones can serve to house the variouscomponents of the headphones, including the headband 220 and ear cups210. In one example, the base housing 230 can define legs 231 (e.g.either one continuous leg 231 having two sides or two independent legs231) which connect the headband to the ear cups 210. The base housing230 can be made out of any suitable material, including plastic and/ormetals. In one particular example, the base housing 230 can be made ofstainless steel that is approximately 1.2 mm thick. The legs 231 caninclude adjustment mechanisms for adjusting the length of the headband220 relative to the ear cups 210 to accommodate different sized heads ofusers. For example, there may be two legs 231 that slide independentlywithin the headband 220 and/or each of the ear cups 210 may slide alongthe legs 231.

The ear cups 210 of the headphone contain speakers configured to playsounds to the user. The headphones may be connected to a media source,such as a digital music player or a mobile phone, with a physical wireor wirelessly (e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or another wireless protocol). Insome embodiments, the headphones may also contain a microphoneconfigured to capture voice commands or audio signals from the user. Insome embodiments, the headphones may include controls that permit theuser to control the media source. This can include controls to allow theuser to change the volume, skip ahead in a music track, mute, disablethe media source, receive phone calls, or input a voice command.

As previously noted, the headphones of the present disclosure can beremovably attachable to the helmet via locking assembly. The lockingassembly can include a series of mating features that interlock in aremovably attachable fashion. In one example, the locking assembly canrely on flexible mating features that interlock with one another in africtional manner (e.g. “snap-fit”). There are a number of variations offrictional locking arrangements, including cantilever, torsional andannular, and the present disclosure should not be read to be limited toone or more of these frictional locking arrangements. In someembodiments, the locking assembly may be made of a suitable materialthat has desirable coefficient of friction, high resistance, and highscratch resistance. In one particular example, a nylon polyamide may beused (e.g. 6/66).

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict one particular embodiment of a snap-fit lockingassembly where respective protrusions and/or recesses can be provided onthe helmet 100 and headphones. Specifically, helmet 100 is provided withtwo protrusions 311 located about the ear cup receiving apertures 150.The protrusions 311 mate with respective recesses 314 provided on theheadphones 200, for example, located on an outer perimeter of each cup210. The present disclosure is not limited to the specific arrangementof recesses and protrusions shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, for example,protrusions could alternatively be located on the headphones, andrecesses can be provided on the helmet, or both the headphones andhelmet can include both recesses and protrusions.

In order to assist with alignment of the headphones relative to thehelmet 100, the helmet 100 can include alignment features. For example,the helmet 100 includes two ear cup receiving apertures 150 that aresized and arranged to receive respective ear cups 210 of the headphones200. The helmet 100 can also include additional alignment features toreceive other portions of the headphones in order to align and maintainthe headphones in a locked position that are separate and apart from thelocking assemblies described herein. For example, the helmet 100 caninclude a trough 313 that receives the legs 231 of the helmet 100.

The trough 313 can include one or more protrusions 313 a, which matewith one or more respective recesses 315 formed in each leg 231 of theheadphones 200. The trough 313 can further include an alignment feature312 for properly positioning the headphones within the trough 313. Thealignment feature 312 (e.g. a track-shaped protrusion) can mate with acorresponding alignment feature 316 (e.g. a trough) on leg 231. Therespective alignment features may also serve to assist in locking theheadphones to the helmet in a locked position.

In order to lock the headphones 200 with helmet 100 in the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 3A-3B, it may be necessary to have ear cups 210 thatrotate relative to legs 231 in order to accommodate a difference inrotational position of the ear cups 210 when worn by a user (i.e.without a helmet) and when locked into the locked position on a helmet.FIG. 3B shows an example of ear cups 210, which are pivotably connectedto the legs 231 via pivot 317 allow for rotation about axis β.

Another example of a locking assembly according to the presentdisclosure is a biased locking assembly. A biased locking assembly caninclude one or more mating features that are biased (e.g. via a spring)relative to one another for maintaining the headphones in a lockedposition relative to the helmet. A release member may be provided torelease the biased lock. Corresponding mating features, such asprotrusions and recesses can further assist in aligning the headphonesand helmet relative to one another so that the headphones can be placedin a locked position with the biased locking assembly.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an example of a spring biased locking assembly,in which the helmet 100 includes a male latch member 321 and theheadphones include a female catch member 325. The latch member 321 mayinclude a housing 322 that receives the biased latch in a slidingfashion, and a biasing-member, for example a spring 323 as shown inFIGS. 5A-5E. The latch member 321 may also include an arm 324 to allowfor user to easily move the latch 321 between an engaged position in adisengaged position.

One or more alignment features may be used to maintain the ear cup inposition relative to the ear cup receiving aperture. For example,protrusion is provided on the outer edge of the ear cup receivingaperture. A corresponding recess can be provided on the ear cup toreceive the protrusion.

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate use of a spring biased locking assembly accordingto the present disclosure. In FIG. 5A, attaching headphones relative tothe helmet 100 begins with positioning a male mating member 321 relativeto a female mating member 325. In FIG. 5B, female member 325 ispositioned partly within protrusion 326 of male member 321 such that arecess 327 of the female member 325 is abutted against protrusion 326 ofthe male member 321. In FIGS. 5C and 5D an upper portion of femalemember 325 is urged toward the locked position. The male member 321 andfemale member 325 can include abutment surfaces 321 a, 325 a to allowfor the female member 325 to slide into the locked position withoutmanually lifting the arm 324. The abutment surfaces 321 a, 325 a mayinclude one or more angled and/or rounded edges. In this manner,pressing the female member 325 into the recess 328 of the male member321 engages respective surfaces in a manner that the male member 321 isautomatically lifted into a disengaged position. In FIG. 5E, the malemember 321 is positioned fully within the recess 328 of the femalemember 325 such that the latch is received within the catch. The femalemember 325 is maintained in this locked position relative to the malemember via the biased latch 321.

The female member 325 can be released from the male member 321 bymanually lifting the arm 324, thereby upwardly moving the latch out ofthe catch from the position shown in FIG. 5E. The process of removingear cup 210 relative to the ear cup receiving aperture 150 can proceedin an opposite manner as the method of installation previouslydescribed, i.e. from FIG. 5E, to FIG. 5D, and so forth. As the ear cup210 extends through the ear cup receiving aperture 150, the user canpress against the outer edge of the ear cup 210 to move the ear cup 210into the position shown in FIG. 5D. Alternatively or additionally, theuser can pull on a portion of the headphones located within the helmet100 (e.g. a leg) to remove the ear cup 210 from the ear cup receivingaperture 150.

Yet another embodiment of a locking assembly according to the presentdisclosure is a rotational locking assembly. A rotational lockingassembly can include one or more rotational latch members and one ormore fixed catch members. Corresponding mating features, such asprotrusions and recesses can further assist in aligning the headphonesand helmet relative to one another so that the headphones can be placedin a locked position with the rotational locking assembly.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate an example of a rotational locking assembly 340,in which the helmet 100 includes a male latch member 341 and theheadphones include a female catch member 340. With reference to FIG. 6A,the helmet 100 is shown with the latch in a disengaged position. In thedisengaged position, mating members of the latch are located within thehelmet 100 that define a housing of the latch member 341 through whichthe latch member 341 rotates within. The latch member 341 includes anarm to allow for the user to move the latch between the disengaged,unlocked position and the engaged, locked position.

FIG. 6B illustrates headphones with female catch members (e.g. recesses)that receive corresponding latch member 341 when the latch 341 is movedinto the locked position. FIGS. 6C and 6D shows the helmet 100 withoutheadphones, and an outline of the (hidden) latch member 341 locatedwithin the helmet 100 in broken lines. FIG. 6C shows the rotationallocking assembly in a disengaged, unlocked position. As can be seen, themale latch member 341 is not visible through the ear cup receivingaperture 150 (i.e. the latch member is disposed fully within the helmet100). In FIG. 6D, the arm 342 is rotated rearwardly such that the latch341 is moved into the engaged, locked position thereby exposing one ormore portions of the latch member 341 that can be received by the one ormore corresponding catch members. In this particular example, the latchmember 341 exposes four edge features 343 from the edge of the ear cupaperture 150. When the ear cup 210 is located through the ear cupaperture 150, the rotational latch member 341 can be rotated into theengaged, locked position where the edge features mate in a locked mannerwith the corresponding catch members.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate the principle of a rotational locking assemblyaccording to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7A, the male latchmember 341 can be a flat disk with a rounded (e.g. circular) outerperiphery 344 and an inner aperture 345 defined by an inner edge 346.The male latch member 341 may be received within a male latch housing(not shown) located within the helmet, for example between an outershell and inner shell of the helmet. The male latch 341 can define amating edge 347 that slidably receives the outer circumference of thefemale catch member 340. In some embodiments, male latch housing and theouter circumference of the male latch 341 can have a frictional fit thatrequires a threshold force for the user to overcome in order to rotatethe latch about the latch housing. In this way, the male latch member341 can avoid from being inadvertently moved between locked and unlockedpositions.

The female catch member 340 can be one or more recesses within aperipheral housing. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 6B, one or morerecesses can be disposed within an outer edge of an ear cup 210 of theheadphones. The one or more recesses 340 can define a mating edge thatmirrors an engagement edge of the latch member 341.

FIG. 7B depicts the ear cup 210 disposed within the ear cup aperture150, the rotational locking assembly in a disengaged, unlocked position.From this position, the arm 342 of the latch member 341 can be rotatedinto the engaged, locked position as shown in FIG. 7C. In the engaged,locked position, engaging edges 347 of the latch member 341 are receivedwithin the respective recesses of the catch member such that the ear cup210 is secured relative to the helmet 100.

The female member 340 can be released from the male member 341 byrotating the arm 342 from the locked position into the unlockedposition, thereby moving each of the respective engaging edges 347 outof the respective recesses 340 of the catch member. The process ofremoving ear cup 210 relative to the ear cup receiving aperture 150 canproceed in an opposite manner as the method of installation previouslydescribed, i.e. from FIG. 7C to FIG. 7B, and then to FIG. 7A. As the earcup 210 extends through the ear cup receiving aperture 150, the user canpress against the outer edge of the ear cup 210 to move the ear cup 210out of the ear cup receiving aperture 150. Alternatively oradditionally, the user can pull on a portion of the headphones locatedwithin the helmet (e.g. a leg) to remove the ear cup 210 from the earcup receiving aperture 150.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, theheadphones may be releasably detachable from the helmet using otherrotational locking assemblies. Another example of a rotational lockassembly can allow for rotational locking of the headphones relative tothe helmet by rotation of the entire headphones relative to the helmet.In this example of a rotational locking assembly, the helmet andheadphones can include one or more male latch members (e.g. protrusion)and female catch member (e.g. recess). Respective latch and catchmembers can be located on the periphery of the ear cup and the edge ofthe ear cup aperture.

FIGS. 8A-8F illustrate one particular arrangement for mating theheadphones 200 and helmet 100 via a rotational locking assembly.According to FIG. 8A, the headphones 200 can be compressed to theirminimum size by sliding the ear cups 210 towards the head band 220.Subsequently, the ear cups 210 of the headphones 200 can be positionedtoward the ear cup apertures 150 of the helmet 100 as shown in FIG. 8Band 8C. FIGS. 8D and 8E subsequently shows individual ear cups 210 beingdisposed through a corresponding ear cup aperture 150 of the helmet 100.The rotational locking assembly can be positioned from a disengaged,unlocked position into the engaged, locked position by rotating theheadphones as shown in FIG. 8F.

The male and female rotational locking members may have a frictional fitin order to maintain the headphones in the locked position during use.Similarly, the helmet 100 and headphones can include additionalfrictional and/or alignment features to maintain the headphones. Forexample, the helmet 100 can include a recess for receiving portions ofthe headphones in the locked position. FIG. 8F illustrates that theheadphones and helmet 100 can have mating edges 160, 220 a that assistin alignment and improve aesthetics by providing a seamless appearance.Specifically, the headband 220 includes a contoured edge 220 a thatfollows a corresponding contoured edge 160 at the rear of the helmet100.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate another example of a rotational lock assemblywhere the edge of the ear cup aperture 150 includes one or moreprotrusions 350, and an edge of the ear cup 210 includes correspondingrecesses 351 that are configured to rotationally receive the one or moreprotrusions 350 therein. The headphones can be removably attachable tothe helmet 100 by rotating the ear cups 210 within the ear cup apertures150.

FIGS. 10A-10D schematically demonstrate the principle used in therotational lock assembly depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B. As shown in FIG.10A, the male latch member 350 is defined by an edge 352 of the ear cupaperture 150. The female catch member can be defined by one or morerecesses 351 disposed within an outer edge 353 of an ear cup 210 of theheadphones. The one or more recesses 351 can define a mating edge thatmirrors an engagement edge of the male edge 352.

FIG. 10B depicts the ear cup 210 disposed within the ear cup aperture150, where the rotational locking assembly is in a disengaged, unlockedposition. From this position, the ear cup 210 can be rotated into theengaged, locked position as shown in FIG. 10C. In the engaged, lockedposition of FIG. 10D, engaging edges 352 of the latch member arereceived within the respective recesses 351 of the catch member suchthat the ear cup 210 is secured relative to the helmet 100.

The female member can be released from the male member by rotating theentire headphones 200 from the locked position into the unlockedposition, thereby moving each of the respective engaging edges 352 outof the respective recesses 351 of the catch member. The process ofremoving ear cup 210 relative to the ear cup receiving aperture 150 canproceed in an opposite manner as the method of installation previouslydescribed, i.e. from FIG. 10D to FIG. 10C, and so forth as the ear cup210 extends through the ear cup 210 receiving aperture 150, the user canpress against the outer edge of the ear cup 210 to move the ear cup 210out of the ear cup receiving aperture 150. Alternatively oradditionally, the user can pull on a portion of the headphones locatedwithin the helmet (e.g. a leg) to remove the ear cup 210 from the earcup receiving aperture 150.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate one particular arrangement for mating theheadphones and helmet 100 via a rotational locking assembly. Accordingto FIG. 11A, the ear cups 210 of the headphones can be inserted into therespective ear cup apertures 150 of the helmet 100. For example, in anunlocked position, the ear cup 210 may fit within the ear cup aperture150 in a position where the headband 220 of the headphones 200 isoriented downwardly, towards the chinstrap of the helmet 100. Theheadphones 200 can be rotationally locked into a fixed position byrotating the entire headphones 200 about the ear cup aperture 150 suchthat respective male and female members located on the ear cups 210 andedge of the ear cup apertures 150 mate. For example, the headphones canbe rotated towards the rear of the helmet 100, and in a final position,the respective male and female members are fixed relative to oneanother. In the engaged, locked position the headband 220 and legs 231may be located in a horizontal or substantially horizontal position,which is described in further detail herein with reference to FIGS.24A-24D. In the engaged, locked position shown in FIG. 11B, the headband220 of the headphones may abut a rear edge 160 of the helmet 100.

The male and female rotational locking members may have a frictional fitin order to maintain the headphones in the locked position during use.Similarly, the helmet 100 and headphones can include additionalfrictional and/or alignment features to maintain the headphones. Forexample, the helmet 100 can include a recess for receiving portions ofthe headphones in the locked position. FIG. 11A provides an example of africtional and/or alignment feature, where the rear of the helmet 100includes a recess for receiving the headband 220 in the locked position.FIG. 11B illustrates that the headphones and helmet 100 can have matingedges that assist in alignment and improve aesthetics by providing aseamless appearance. Specifically, the headband 220 includes a contourededge that follows a corresponding contoured edge at the rear of thehelmet 100.

In another embodiment according to the present disclosure, a lockingassembly can include a sliding locking assembly. A sliding lockingassembly can include one or more sliding latch members and one or morecatch members. Corresponding mating features, such as protrusions andrecesses can further assist in aligning the headphones and helmetrelative to one another so that the headphones can be placed in a lockedposition with the sliding locking assembly.

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate an example of a sliding locking assembly, inwhich the helmet 100 includes male latch members 361 and the headphonesinclude female catch members 362. With reference to FIG. 12A, the malelatch members 361 are embodied as a pair of parallel, linear protrusionsthat are fixed adjacent to each ear cup aperture 150. FIG. 12Billustrates headphones 200 with female catch members 362 (e.g. recesses)that receive the corresponding latch members 361 when the latch membersare slid into the catch members 362, thereby placing the sliding lockingassembly in an engaged, locked position.

FIGS. 13A-13D schematically demonstrate the principle used in thesliding lock assembly 360 depicted in FIGS. 12A and 12B. As shown inFIG. 13A, the male latch member 361 is defined by one or more linearprotrusions (e.g. two protrusions) located at an edge of the ear cupaperture 150. The protrusions can include an extension piece 363, whichextends away from the ear cup aperture 150, and a linear engagement edge364 that is configured to engage a female catch member 362. The femalecatch member 362 can be defined by one or more recesses 365 (e.g. tworecesses) disposed within an outer edge of an ear cup 210 of theheadphones. The one or more recesses 365 can define a mating edge thatmirrors an engagement edge of the latch member 361. In this example, theear cup 210 includes two correspondingly linear recesses 365. The malelatch member 361 and female catch member 362 may have flexible matingfeatures that interlock with one another in a frictional manner (e.g.“snap-fit”) in order to maintain the sliding locking assembly in anengaged, locked position.

FIG. 13B depicts the recesses of an ear cup 210 in a linearly alignedposition with the with the latch member of the ear cup aperture 150.From this position, the latch member can be slid into the engaged,locked position as shown in FIG. 13C. FIG. 13D is a cross-sectional viewshowing the sliding locking assembly in the engaged, locked position ofFIG. 13C. FIG. 13E illustrates that an inner portion of the ear cup canbe compressed in order to place the ear cup in the locked position inFIG. 13D.

The female member can be released from the male member by sliding theear cups 210 from the locked position into the unlocked position,thereby moving each of the respective engagement edges out of therespective recesses of the catch member. The process of removing the earcup 210 relative to the ear cup receiving aperture 150 can proceed in anopposite manner as the method of installation previously described, i.e.from FIG. 13C to FIG. 13B, and so forth.

FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate one particular arrangement for mating theheadphones and helmet 100 via a sliding locking assembly 360. Accordingto FIG. 14A, the ear cups 210 of the headphones 200 can be slid towardthe respective male latch members 361 located adjacent the ear cupapertures 150 of the helmet 100. In one particular example, theheadphones 200 and helmet 100 may mate by sliding the headphones 200 ina vertical direction, i.e. in a direction starting from the chinstrapand upwardly toward the crown 170 of the helmet 100. In the engaged,locked position of FIG. 14B, the headband 220 and legs 231 may belocated in a horizontal or substantially horizontal position. In theengaged, locked position shown in FIG. 14B, the headband 220 of theheadphones may abut a rear edge 160 of the helmet 100.

According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, a headphoneleg locking assembly can be used to allow for removably attachingheadphones relative to a helmet. A headphone leg locking assembly can beused on its own in order to secure headphones to the helmet, or be usedin addition to the above-described locking assemblies that rely onmating features disposed on the ear cups of the headphones.

FIGS. 15A-15B illustrate an example of a rotational headphone leglocking assembly 370, in which the helmet 100 includes a male latchmember 371 and the headphones 200 include a female catch member 376.With reference to FIG. 15A, the helmet 100 is shown with the latch in adisengaged position where the rotational latch 371 is swung open. Therotational latch 371 can be embodied by a clasp 372 that includes ahinge 373, a cavity 374 for receiving a leg 231 of the headphones 200,and locking features 375 a, 375 b. The rotational latch 371 can furtherinclude one or more alignment features, including a trough 384 and aprotrusion 382 for aligning the leg 231 of the headphone within therotational latch 371. The locking features 375 a, 375 b can include oneor more hooks 375 a that engage corresponding notches 375 b.

FIG. 15B illustrates headphones with female catch members 377 (e.g.recesses). The catch members 377 can be disposed through legs 231 of theheadphones 200. An extension 379 may be added to the legs 231 in orderto increase the width of the legs 231 (e.g. where the legs 231 are madeof a thin planar material). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15B, the earcups can rotate relative to the legs 231 via a swivel connection 378.The extension 379 can house a portion of the swivel connection 378therein.

FIGS. 16A-16E schematically demonstrate the principle used in therotational lock assembly depicted in FIGS. 15A and 15B. As shown in FIG.16A, the male latch member 371 can be positioned in an open state, wherean outside door 380 is swung away from base member 381. The male latchmember 371 can further include protrusion 382. The female catch member376 can be defined by the leg 231 of the headphones 200, and furtherinclude in some embodiments a recess 377 that is configured to meet withthe protrusion 382 of the male member 371. The male latch member 371 mayinclude an upper surface 383 and a lower surface 384 and sidewalls 385,which abut corresponding edges and upper surface 386 and lower surface387 of the legs 231 of the headphones 200.

FIG. 16B depicts the female catch member 376 (e.g. leg) being positionedtowards the rotational locking assembly. From this position, the femalecatch member 376 can be lowered into the male latch member 371 as shownin FIG. 16C, and the door 380 of the male latch member 371 can berotated toward a locked, engaged position. FIG. 16D shows the male latchmember 371 in the engaged, locked position, where the hooks 375 a havemated with the corresponding notches 375 b. FIG. 16E provides across-sectional view of the male latch member 371 in the engaged, lockedposition. The hooks 375 a may be made of a deformable material such thathooks 375 a can create a releasably detachable snap-fit within thenotches 375 b.

The female member 376 can be released from the male member 371 byrotating the door 380 from the locked position into the unlockedposition. A handle 389 may be provided on the door 380 to help a usergrasp the door 380 for rotation. The process of removing the femalemember 371 can proceed in an opposite manner as the method ofinstallation previously described, i.e. from FIG. 16D to FIG. 16C, andso forth.

FIG. 17 illustrates another example of a headphone leg locking assembly,in which the helmet (not shown) includes a male latch member 391 and theleg 231 serves as a female catch member 399. The male latch member 391can be a deformable docking frame 392 that includes one or moredeformable arms 393 that act as cantilevers. The one or more deformablearms 393 may deform (e.g. bend) outwardly in order to receive and retaina leg 231 of the headphones 200 within a cavity 394 defined by the spacewithin each arm 393. In order to improve deformation, the deformabledocking frame 392 can have weakened portions 395 (e.g. apertures) toimprove deformability. The male member 391 can include engagement edges396 for retaining a leg 231 of the headphones 200 in a locked position.The engagement edges 396 can further have an alignment features, such asan alignment surface 397 (e.g. a beveled or rounded edge), which canassist in urging the arms 393 into a locked position. Each of the one ormore deformable arms 393 can include an extended edge 398 that assists auser in the cantilever action of the arm 393. For example, the extendededge 398 can improve grip and decrease the forces necessary to deformeach arm 393.

FIGS. 18A-18E demonstrate the principle used in the deformable leglocking assembly depicted in FIG. 17. As shown in FIG. 18A, the malelatch member is initially in a locked, engaged state. The female catchmember 399 can be defined by the leg 231 of the headphones. In theillustrated embodiment, the female catch member does not further includeany specialized mating or alignment features. However, such features canbe added for purposes of improving alignment and or locking of theheadphone leg within the male latch member.

FIGS. 18B-18D are cross-sectional views showing the process of lockingthe female member 399 within the male member 392. FIG. 18B depicts thefemale catch member 399 (e.g. leg 231) being urged towards the malemember 392. From this position, the female catch member 399 can belowered into the male latch member 392 as shown in FIG. 18C. As thefemale catch member 399 is lowered into the male latch member 392, thearms 393 deform outwardly to accommodate the female catch member 399.FIG. 18D shows the male latch member 392 in the engaged, lockedposition, where the arms 393 have deformed back into their restposition. In the engaged, locked position the arms 393 of the malemember 392 surround the female catch member 399 such that the femalemember 399 is fully received within the cavity 394 of the male member392. FIG. 18E provides a perspective view of the members 392, 399 in theengaged, locked position

The female member 399 can be released from the male member 392 by a userdepressing and outer portion of one or more of the arms 393 of the malemember 392, thereby deforming the one or more arms 393 into an open,disengaged position. The process of removing the female member 399 canproceed in an opposite manner as the method of installation previouslydescribed, i.e. from FIG. 18D to FIG. 18C, and so forth.

The present disclosure is not limited to the specific arrangement of thelocking assemblies described herein. For example, the location of themale and female members (e.g. latch and catch) can be reversed such thata latch can be located on the located on the headphones and a catch canbe located on the helmet. Additionally, it is contemplated that theheadphones and helmet can each include both male and female members.

It will be appreciated that the above-described locking mechanisms canbe applied to various styles of helmets. Moreover, the helmet can beconfigured to receive the headphones in various ways. For example, asshown in FIG. 19 the headphones 200 can be located fully outside of thehelmet 100. In this embodiment, the helmet 100 may have a soft shellportion that is non-rigid (e.g. pliable). The soft shell portion cancorrespond to a lower, ear portion of the helmet 100 that is locatedbelow an upper, hard shell. This design can advantageously allow for thehelmet 100 to act as a barrier between a user's head and the headphones.The soft shell portion may be more comfortable to a user than a helmet100 having a full hard shell. Furthermore, it is possible to configurethe headphones 200 to be removable while a user is wearing the helmet100. Although this design may increase comfort and ease of attachabilityof the headphones, protection to a user may be decreased as compared toother helmet 100 and headphone configurations due to, in part, thenon-rigid, lower portion of the helmet 100. Another possibledisadvantage of this configuration is that the headphones 200 areexposed to possible damage during use as they protrude outside of thehelmet 100, and are therefore not protected by the helmet 100.

Another helmet 100 configuration is shown in FIG. 20, where theheadphones 200 are located fully outside of the helmet 100 with a hardshell that fully covers the lower ear portion of the helmet 100. Ascompared to the prior configuration, the larger hard shell increasesprotection to the user, and the helmet 100 serves as a barrier betweenthe head and headphones. Similar to the prior configuration, it ispossible to configure the headphones 200 to be removable while a user iswearing the helmet 100. However, the headphones 200 are exposed topossible damage during use as they protrude outside of the helmet 100,and are therefore not protected by the helmet 100.

A further helmet 100 configuration is shown in FIG. 21, where theheadphones 200 are located partly inside the shell of the helmet 100,and partly outside the shell of the helmet 100. This design can beemployed with a full hard shell, or part hard and part soft shell aspreviously described. As compared to other helmet 100 and headphoneconfigurations, this design can provide for improved overall protectionof the user's head. Moreover, the headphones 200 can be protected frommost impacts as only the headband 220 is exposed outside of the helmet100 shell.

Another helmet 100 configuration is shown in FIG. 22, where theheadphones 200 are located fully within the shell of the helmet 100.This design allows for full protection of the headphones 200 within theshell, but can be complex to manufacture due to the need for the helmet100 to house the headphones 200 in their entirety. Moreover, as theheadphones 200, and particularly the headband 220, take up space withinthe helmet 100, this design can potentially trade protection of theheadphones 200 for optimal user protection.

FIGS. 23A-23C show an example of a headband 220 having an alignmentfeature that may be used to assist in aligning the headphones 200relative to the helmet 100. Such an alignment feature can be used incombination with the interlocking assemblies described herein. As shownin FIG. 23A, the headphones may have one or more alignment edges 401,which mate with a corresponding edge of the helmet 100. In oneparticular embodiment, two side edges and one longitudinal edge of theheadphones 200 may mate with corresponding edges of the outer shell 110of the helmet 100. The outer surface of the headphones may be coplanaror substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the helmet 100 toproduce a substantially seamless appearance. In another embodiment, theouter surface of the headphones may be located below the outer surfaceof the helmet 100 for protection of the headband 220 during impact.

The headband 220 may also include alignment features that interlock toassist in mating the edges of the headband 220 and helmet 100. FIGS. 23Band 23C provide detail views of the headphones including suchinterlocking alignment features. In FIG. 23B, the helmet 100 includes afemale mating member 402 (e.g. recess) and the headphones 200 include amale mating member 403 (e.g. protrusion). In FIG. 23C, the female matingmember 402 is located on the headphones 200 and the male mating member403 is located on the helmet 100. In either embodiment, the male matingmember 403 and the female mating member 402 may be located on a sideedge of the helmet 100 and headband 220, respectively. For example, thehelmet 100 of FIG. 23B includes a recess disposed between an inner layerand outer shell of the helmet 100. However, the recess can be entirelydisposed within an inner layer of the outer shell of the helmet 100. Asanother example, the helmet 100 of FIG. 23C includes a protrusion, whichcan be made from the outer shell of the helmet 100. However, theprotrusion can be made from the inner layer or combinations of the innerand outer layer of the helmet 100. The male mating member and the femalemating member interlock with one another in a frictional manner (e.g.“snap-fit”).

FIGS. 24A-24D illustrate the position that headphones 200 may be heldwhen interlocked with a helmet 100 according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. With reference to FIG. 24A and 24B, the headphones200 can be positioned in a horizontal or substantially horizontalposition on the helmet 100 in a locked position. The horizontal positionmay be aligned with a user's eye and ear. In one example, the headphones200 can be held in a position (e.g. in a locked position via a lockingassembly described herein) where a longitudinal axis 200 a of theheadphones 200 is approximately aligned with a second axis 404 thatfollows the user's eye and ear. The longitudinal axis 200 a of theheadphones 200 can be an axis that goes along the center of each ear cup210 to a central apex of the headband 220.

According to FIG. 24C, the headphones 200 can be held (e.g. in a lockedposition via a locking assembly described herein) such that itslongitudinal axis 200 a lies at an angle that is ±20° from the secondaxis 404 of the user. In other embodiments, the headphones 200 can beheld such that its longitudinal axis 200 a lies at an angle that is±15°, ±10°, or ±5° from the second axis of the user.

Recreational sports helmets are subject by the establishedcertifications (e.g. ASTM 2040, EN 1077A) to protect the head above adefined impact line 405 as shown in FIG. 24D. In order to satisfy suchcertifications, headphones should not interfere with the impact area ofthe helmet 100 (e.g. by being located within the impact line 405, whichfor example could take up space used for energy absorption andprotection). According to embodiments of the present disclosure, theheadphones 200 are held such that the headphones 200 may be locked in aposition that is outside of the defined impact line 405.

The present disclosure may also allow for the headphones to bepositioned such that the user can control music directly from theheadphones. In such embodiments, the headphones may be externallyaccessible, for example, by being disposed through one or more portionsof the helmet (e.g. through an ear cup aperture as previously described)while the headphones are in a locked position on the helmet.

One issue with integrating headphones and a helmet as described hereinmay be caused due to differences in the surface angle of a user's headand the surface angle of a helmet. The headphones described in thepresent disclosure may be worn directly by a user (i.e. without ahelmet), or be worn by the user in combination with a helmet (e.g. asheld in a locked position via by a locking assembly). FIG. 25A shows theangle 406 of the ear cups 210 (defined by the axis along points A and B)relative to a user when the user is wearing the headphones without ahelmet. When headphones are worn over the top of a user's head, theshape of the head requires the ear cups 210 to be rotated (e.g. towardthe front of the user's head) to accommodate the angle of the head in acomfortable manner. This rotation can be provided, for example, by eachear cup 210 being disposed at an angle (e.g. each ear cup 210 beingnonparallel to one another) and/or with ear pad foam that will allow theabutting edge of the ear cups 210 to be angled.

FIG. 25B shows the angle 407 of the ear cups 210 (defined by the axisalong points A and B) relative to a user when the user is wearing theheadphones 200 locked with a helmet 100 according to the presentdisclosure. As opposed to the generally vertical position of FIG. 25A,the present disclosure may allow for the headphones 200 to be lockedonto a helmet 100 in a substantially horizontal position. However, whenthe headphones are held in the horizontal position, the outer surface ofthe helmet 100 is angled 407 in an opposite manner than the angle 406that headphones are held directly on a user's head (i.e. without ahelmet). If the headphone ear cups 210 are not rotated in this“opposite” manner (e.g. in a position that is generally parallel to theouter surface of the helmet 100, then the headphones 200 would eitherprotrude outside or inside of the helmet 100 thereby compromisingsafety, comfort, and/or aesthetics. Thus, the ear cups 210 of thepresent disclosure can allow for rotation of the ear cups 210 in bothdirections shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B. In one embodiment, differences inrotation can be accommodated by providing ear cups 210 that rotaterelative to the legs, for example, with a swivel connection as shown inFIG. 3B. According to another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 25C-25E, theheadphones 200 may be mounted such that each ear cup 210 is in a fixed,non-parallel position, and can allow for tilting of an inner portion ofeach ear cup 210.

FIG. 25C is a top view of a single ear cup 210, showing an example whereeach ear cup 210 is fixed at an angle 0 between axis A-A and axis A-B,where the arrow is pointing toward the front of the headphones 200 whenworn by a user (i.e. the arrow is directed toward the user's face). AxisA-A can correspond to the vertical axis between each ear cup 210 (i.e.perpendicular), and axis A-B can correspond to the axis of the helmetshell 110. The angled fixed position of the ear cup 210, i.e. at angle θcan be achieved by each leg 231 having a lower angled piece, adjacentthe headphones 200. For example, each leg 231 may begin at a parallelposition relative to one another, adjacent the headband 220, and thenbegin to tilt at a location adjacent each ear cup 210. The fixed angle θcan be compared to a perfectly “neutral” position relative to theheadband. According to some embodiments, angle θ may be a single, fixedangle between 2-5°. In one particular embodiment, the angle θ may be 3°.

FIGS. 25D and 25E are bottom views of a single ear cup 210, showing anexample where each ear cup 210 is freely tiltable an angle a betweenaxis A-B and axis A-C, where the arrow pointing toward the front of theheadphones when worn by a user (i.e. the arrow is directed toward theuser's face). Axis A-B can correspond to the fixed axis shown in FIG.25C (e.g. which may correspond to the axis of the helmet shell), andaxis A-C shows the inner piece of the ear cup 210 angled into a tiltedposition for use on a user's head (i.e. without a helmet). The titledposition of the ear cup 210 shown in FIG. 25E can be achieved, forexample, by having the inner piece of the ear cup 210 mounted at aswivel relative to the outer piece of the ear cup 210. An example of aswivel mount 417 is shown in FIG. 26B. According to some embodiments,the inner piece of the ear cup 210 may be configured to pivot up to amaximum angle a between 2-6°. In one particular embodiment, the angle amay be 4°.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, headphonescan include an input control device for controlling a media source (e.g.an electronic device such as an electronic media player. In oneembodiment, the input control device may be one or more rotatable earcups. One or more sensors may be used to monitor the position and/or achange of position of an ear cup. The one or more sensors can send asignal to control the electronic device.

FIG. 26A shows an embodiment of headphones having a rotatable ear cup210 that serves as an input control device for controlling an electronicdevice (i.e. media input for the headphones). The rotatable ear cup 210may include a housing 412 and a rotational element 413, which rotatesabout axis 411.

FIG. 26B is an exploded view of an assembly of the headphones 200 shownin FIG. 26A. The ear cup 210 may be defined by an outer piece 414 and aninner piece 415. The outer piece 414 can be fixed to the leg 231 (e.g.via fasteners 418), and the inner piece 415 may be pivotally mounted tothe outer piece 414 via swivel 417, which extends through centralaperture 416. The inner piece 415 can be used to house one or morespeakers (not shown) of the headphones 200.

FIG. 27A and 27B are perspective views of an exemplary rotationalelement 413 of an ear cup 210. The rotational element 413 includes anouter surface 419, an inner surface 420, and aperture 421, and aplurality of teeth 422. The plurality of teeth 422 may be disposed atregular intervals about the aperture 421. In one particular example,there may be 30 teeth 422 on the rotational element 413. In anotherembodiment, there may be more than 30 teeth on the rotational element413.

FIGS. 28A and 28B show a sensor arrangement configured to detect achange of position of the rotational element 413 relative to housing412. The sensor arrangement may include a first sensor element 423 and asecond sensor element 424 disposed on the housing 412. In one particularembodiment, the sensor arrangement may be a photosensor pair. Forexample, the first sensor 423 may be a light source (e.g. an infraredemitter) and the second sensor 424 may be one or more, or two or more,light detectors (e.g. two phototransistors). As illustrated in thecross-sectional view of 28B, the first sensor 423 and second sensor 424may be positioned on opposite sides of the plurality of teeth 422. Itshould be realized that the sensor elements can be reversed in position.

FIG. 29 is a schematic representation showing that as the rotationalelement 413 turns, light emission L (e.g. infrared emission) is blockedintermittently by the plurality of teeth 422. The relative position ofthe sensor elements 423, 424 can cause changes in a signal received bythe sensor arrangement in order to determine a change in position aswell as direction, speed, and/or acceleration.

FIG. 30 illustrates signal receptions of respective first and secondsensor elements (e.g. of exemplary phototransistors A and B) over timeduring rotation of the rotational element relative to the base. As canbe seen, differences in received signals between phototransistors A andB at a current time (e.g. t0, t1, t2, t3) can be used to determine thedirection of travel of the rotational element. Thus, the sensorarrangement can be used to detect a change of position as well as detecta direction of rotation. The sensor arrangement can have variousapplications for controlling electronic device. One particular exampleis to control the volume of media being played through the speakers ofthe headphones.

FIG. 31 is an exploded view of a specific embodiment of a side ofheadphones having a rotatable ear cup 210 that serves as an inputcontrol device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The headphones may include an ear cup 210 having an outerpiece and an inner piece.

The outer piece can include a rotational element and a selection buttonthat serve as an input control device. A sensor (not shown) may be usedto detect rotation (e.g. movement, direction, speed, and/oracceleration), which may be used to serve as an input control device forcontrolling a media source rotates about axis 411. The selection buttoncan be a depressible element that moves along axis 411, into therotational element. A sensor can be positioned to sense when theselection button is depressed, and the selection button may be biasedtoward an undepressed state. A housing 412 can receive the rotationalelement, and include a housing cap 412 a. The housing cap and/or housingmay be attached to a leg 231.

The inner piece can include a frame 425 that houses a swivel 417 (e.g. atilt screw) for connecting the inner piece to the outer piece. The frame425 may have a cover 425 a that can house a driver or speaker (notshown) therein. Ear cup padding 427 (e.g a compressible material, suchas foam) may be attached to the frame 425. An outer ear cup layer 428can house the ear cup padding relative to the frame 425.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with exemplaryembodiments, the detailed description is not intended to limit the scopeof the disclosure to the particular forms set forth. The disclosure isintended to cover such alternatives, modifications and equivalents ofthe described embodiment as may be included within the scope of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A detachable assembly, comprising: headphones, including a headband, ear cups, and a housing, the housing defining legs extending between each of the ear cups and the headband; a helmet for protecting a user, the helmet including a chinstrap, a shell, and a pair of ear cup receiving apertures extending fully through the shell; and a locking assembly configured to removably attach the headphones to the helmet in a locked position; wherein the pair of ear cup receiving apertures is configured to receive a respective one of the ear cups at least partially therethrough in the locked position; wherein in the locked position, the headphones are locked horizontally such that a longitudinal axis of the headphones lies at a locking angle that is ±20° from a second axis, the second axis extending from the user's eye and ear when the helmet is on the user, the longitudinal axis extending between each ear cup to a central apex of the headband.
 2. The detachable assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the legs of the headphones is disposed within the shell of the helmet in the locked position.
 3. The detachable assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly includes one or more male members and one or more female members configured to mate with the one or more male members; wherein the one or more male members are located adjacent the pair of ear cup receiving apertures; and wherein the one or more female members are located on the ear cups.
 4. The detachable assembly of claim 1, wherein the helmet includes a trough disposed on an inner surface of the helmet, the trough receiving one or more of the following in the locked position: the legs and the headband of the helmet.
 5. The detachable assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly includes one or more flexible mating features that interlock with one another in a frictional manner.
 6. The detachable assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly is a biased locking assembly having one or more slidable male members that are biased toward one or more female members in the locked position.
 7. The detachable assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly is a rotational locking assembly having one or more rotational latch members and one or more fixed catch members.
 8. The detachable assembly of claim 7, wherein the one or more rotational latch members includes two disks, each of the two disks having a central aperture defined by an inner edge, each of the two disks being rotationally mounted about each of the pair of ear cup receiving apertures between an unlocked position and the locked position; wherein the central aperture is concentric with each of the pair of ear cup receiving apertures.
 9. The detachable assembly of claim 8, wherein in the unlocked position, the inner edge is located fully about each one of the pair of ear cup receiving apertures, and in the locked position, the inner edge is positioned at least partially within each one of the pair of ear cup receiving apertures.
 10. The detachable assembly of claim 9, wherein the one or more rotational latch members includes an arm disposed outside of the helmet and configured to allow the user to rotate the one or more rotational latch members between the locked position and the unlocked position.
 11. The detachable assembly of claim 10, wherein in the locked position the arm is located closer to the headband than in the unlocked position.
 12. The detachable assembly of claim 7, wherein rotating the ear cups about the pair of ear cup receiving apertures moves the headphones between an unlocked position and the locked position.
 13. The detachable assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly is a sliding locking assembly having one or more male latch members defined by a pair of parallel, linear protrusions fixed adjacent to each one of the pair of ear cup receiving apertures, and one or more female catch members that receive the one or more male latch members in the locked position.
 14. The detachable assembly of claim 1, further comprising a headphone leg locking assembly including male latch members located on the helmet, and female catch members located on the legs, the male latch members being configured to removably attach the legs to an inner surface of the helmet in the locked position.
 15. The detachable assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the ear cups includes an inner piece and an outer piece, the inner piece housing a speaker for playing sound from the media source, the outer piece including a rotational element configured to rotate relative to the inner piece; wherein rotation of the rotational element controls operation of a media source.
 16. The detachable assembly of claim 15, further comprising: a first sensor element and a second sensor element; wherein the rotational element includes a plurality of teeth, the first sensor element and a second sensor element disposed on opposite sides of the plurality of teeth.
 17. The detachable assembly of claim 16, wherein the first sensor element includes an infrared emitter and the second sensor element includes two or more light detectors.
 18. The detachable assembly of claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of the legs adjacent each of the ear cups are angled such that the ear cups are fixed in a non-parallel position that corresponds to an angled outer surface of the shell of the helmet; wherein each of the ear cups are angled relative to the headband at an angle between 2-5°.
 19. A helmet assembly, comprising: headphones, including a headband, ear cups, and a housing, the housing defining legs extending between each of the ear cups and the headband; a helmet for protecting a user, the helmet including a chinstrap, a shell, and a pair of ear cup receiving apertures extending fully through the shell; and a locking assembly configured to removably attach the headphones to the helmet in a locked position; wherein the pair of ear cup receiving apertures is configured to receive a respective one of the ear cups at least partially therethrough in the locked position; and wherein at least one of the ear cups includes an input control device configured to control a media source; wherein at least one of the ear cups includes an inner piece and an outer piece, the inner piece housing a speaker for playing sound from the media source, the outer piece including a rotational element configured to rotate relative to the inner piece; wherein rotation of the rotational element controls operation of a media source. 